Chris Lombardi puts defense and security under the spotlight, as he shares his takes on recent NATO and EU cooperation and provides insight into the company’s own long-term strategic partnerships in Europe.

Three trends are currently driving the global electricity sector: decarbonization, decentralization and differentiation. Utilities are making significant contributions to mitigate carbon emissions, while a technology revolution is …

GPlus clarification

May I correct an inaccuracy in David Cronin’s piece – ‘Officials’ temporary leave rules set for go ahead in early 2003’ (European Voice, 12-18 December) – where he stated that GPlus Europe partners Peter Guilford and Michael Tscherny “are technically on leave and have the right to return [to the Commission]”.

Both have definitively resigned from the Commission, leaving GPlus Europe with no former officials on unpaid leave.

Furthermore, before stepping down as EU competition spokesman in September, Michael Tscherny signed the conflict of interest obligations of DG Competition – the strictest in the Commission. GPlus Europe resigned voluntarily from the contract referred to in your article and welcomed assurances we obtained from the Commission that its leave policy would be reviewed so as to avoid any possibility of misperception in the awarding of future contracts.

We will be the first to support clear and comprehensive rules on what former Commission officials may and may not do.